We know that too many are affected by it and its consequences are too serious not to do more about it. The time has come to take action, intervene, and, of course, evaluate those interventions.

A cause of major morbidity and mortality, which is fourfold more common than breast cancer, cannot be ignored. [emphasis added]

So, why is breast cancer getting so much funding and research? Former First Lady Betty Ford broke down the wall of silence. Organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation lobbied Congress and corporations. Breast cancer survivors are leveraging their professional expertise to make a difference.

They have created a map we can follow.

A Group Health study discovered 44% of their members had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV is the medical term for domestic violence/abuse) during their lifetimes. This manifests as severe depression, poor or fair health, and lower social functioning. “Women’s health was adversely affected by the proximity, type, and duration of IPV exposure” the study concluded.

Prolonged exposure to abuse causes post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) which increases a person’s risk for heart attacks and autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and psoriasis as well as chronic pain, regulation of the nervous, endocrine, and other organ systems. Anger, depression, and the adrenaline rush associated with exposure to trauma wear down the cardiovascular system.

The number of women who have experienced child abuse is nearly three times greater than those who will develop breast cancer. IPV kills four times more adult women than breast cancer. IPV survivors are at greater risk for strokes (80%), heart disease (70%), asthma (60%), and alcohol abuse (70%). Yet, there is very little health screening for abuse. The federal government provides only limited funds for research on prevention and intervention.

Note: I have provided numerous links to guide you to the wealth of research and statistics you might want to site to support proposals or grant requests. These will lead you to a myriad of other sources including the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Hi Anne, this is Sherri formerly Sherri Peak, your blog and writings are a very valuable resource for victims and others, thank you! Your work, articles and knowledge is impressive and I will be directing folks of whom I do survivor support/training to your site for knowledge, points of reference, inspiration. It’s always a relief when someone like you ‘gets it’ and is going the extra mile to help awareness!! My daily battle to overcome the damages caused by DV and stalking continues and when information such as yours is found while doing research on the internet I am always grateful for people like you. This morning I found your site helpful again while researching the impact on my health – 6 months ago I was diagnosed with an autoimmune arthritis disorder, it is yet one more hurdle to scale in this marathon of being a survivor and unfortunately, this chapter will not have closure – physical disabilities like mine are forever. Now, I must figure out how to live with a different kind of suffering and the economic punishment continues..my health is in such decline that I will be soon forced to live on SSI. I want to support myself and my children, it’s my one source of independence, now that has been taken from me too. It’s really not fair to me or our tax payers. And it’s the next topic I plan to tackle and highlight with regards to victim advocacy – the impact of abuse goes much farther and deeper than what happens in the legal system. Thank you so much for being a part of the solution and standing up and saying things that need to be heard!!! Peace and blessings, Sherri

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